Garrett-Evangelical News

EVANSTON, Illinois, June 2013 – Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt will join the faculty of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary as the Rueben P. Job Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation effective July 1, 2013. Schmidt is the first to hold the newly endowed Rueben P. Job Chair in Spiritual Formation. He will begin teaching in the fall of 2013 and will also oversee the Rueben Job Institute for Spiritual Formation.

Garrett-Evangelical is among the first Protestant seminaries in North America to endow a chair in spiritual formation. Established in January 2013, this endowed chair is named in honor of Garrett-Evangelical’s distinguished alumnus Rueben P. Job, retired bishop of The United Methodist Church. It is to be a lasting legacy to Bishop Job’s lifelong commitment to spiritual formation and will ensure that Garrett-Evangelical continues to prepare well-formed spiritual leaders for many generations.

“It is our delight to welcome Dr. Frederick Schmidt as the first Rueben P. Job Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation,” said Philip Amerson, President of Garrett-Evangelical. “Fred has an exceptional record of publication and his work in spiritual direction made him an obvious choice as our inaugural holder of the post. He also brings a commitment to the church and to biblical scholarship that will make him an outstanding member of the faculty.”

Schmidt comes to Garrett-Evangelical from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas, where he served as the Director of Spiritual Formation and Anglican Studies, as well as Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality. He has also served as Canon Educator and Director of Programs in Spirituality and Religious Education at Washington National Cathedral; as special assistant to the President and Provost of La Salle University in Philadelphia; as a Fellow of the American Council on Education; and as Dean of St. George’s College, Jerusalem.

Schmidt holds a bachelor’s degree from Asbury College, a master of divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a doctor of philosophy from Oxford University. He is the author of several books, including Conversations with Scripture: The Gospel of Luke (Morehouse, 2009), What God Wants for Your Life (Harper One, 2005), and forthcoming book The Dave Test: A Raw Look at Real Faith in Hard Times (Abingdon Press, 2013). Schmidt’s column, “The Spiritual Landscape,” is published on Patheos (www.patheos.com) Progressive Christian portal every Monday.

Regarding his appointment, Dr. Schmidt said, “Being named as the inaugural holder of the Rueben P. Job Chair at Garrett-Evangelical is a distinct honor. I am excited about bringing my past experiences to bear on the work associated with the chair and the opportunities for moving forward in new and exciting ways that honor Bishop Job and the many donors who made this new position possible. Great credit goes to my colleague, Dr. Dwight Judy, who has done so much to advance the work of spiritual formation at Garrett-Evangelical and across the church."

Garrett-Evangelical, a graduate school of theology related to The United Methodist Church, was founded in 1853. Located on the campus of Northwestern University, the seminary serves more than 500 students from many denominations and various cultural backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere of ecumenical interaction. Garrett-Evangelical creates bold leaders through master of divinity, master of arts, master of theological studies, doctor of philosophy and doctor of ministry degrees. Its 4,500 living alumni serve church and society around the world.